Program title display with anti-aging

ABSTRACT

A method is provided to perform anti-aging techniques in an informational display. An informational display is located on the front bezel of a consumer recording device that displays information related to the content being recorded or played or the operation of the device. To increase the life of the display, displayed text is shifted within the display so that pixel use in the display is more evenly distributed with the pixels in the display. To determine the direction and shape of the shift, real-time calculations of pixel use are made or a simulator is used to compute the probable use of each pixel in the display over a certain period of time. Another anti-aging technique is to dim the display of information after a specified amount of time of display at normal brightness.

BENEFIT CLAIM

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/852,184, filed Sep. 7, 2007, the entire contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.The applicant(s) hereby rescind any disclaimer of claim scope in theparent application(s) or the prosecution history thereof and advise theUSPTO that the claims in this application may be broader than any claimin the parent application.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to anti-aging techniques for displays.

BACKGROUND

The approaches described in this section are approaches that could bepursued, but not necessarily approaches that have been previouslyconceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, it shouldnot be assumed that any of the approaches described in this sectionqualify as prior art merely by virtue of their inclusion in thissection.

The introduction of the DVR to the consumer world has revolutionized theway users watch and record television programs. DVRs eliminate many ofthe complications of VCRs and the need for video tapes. DVRs recordtelevision programs on a hard drive that is capable of storing a largenumber of television programs. Because DVRs are usually box-like inshape, and are often found sitting on top of the television sets towhich they are connected, DVRs typically are included in the broadcategory of devices now called “set-top boxes.” Much like VCRs, DVRsreceive one or more television signals (which may represent televisionprograms and/or movies) as input from cables or satellite dishes, (or,in some cases, unlike VCRs, from broadband network connections) and alsooutput television signals to a television set or other display.

A DVR's user can instruct the DVR to schedule, for recording, specifiedcontent that may be broadcasted or otherwise transmitted to the DVR atsome future time. Thus, the user can schedule the automatic recording ofthe content in advance of the time that the DVR will receive thecontent. For example, the user can instruct the DVR to recordunspecified content that will be broadcasted on a specified channelbeginning at a specified date and time and ending at another specifiedtime. For another example, the user can instruct the DVR to record aspecified showing (on a specified channel, and beginning at a specifieddate and time) of a specified movie, specified event, or specifiedepisode of a multi-episode television series. For another example, theuser can instruct the DVR to record the next to-be-broadcasted instanceof a specified movie, specified event, or specified episode of amulti-episode television series without specifying the date, time, orchannel on which that instance will be broadcasted. For another example,the user can instruct the DVR to record all (or all first-run) episodesof a multi-episode television series on a specified channel withoutspecifying the dates or times at which those episodes will bebroadcasted. For another example, the user can instruct the DVR torecord all (or all first-run) instances of movies, events, or episodesof a multi-episode television series that are associated with aspecified keyword, a specified actor, and/or a specified directorwithout specifying the titles, channels, or broadcasting times of thoseinstances.

Typically, when a DVR is recording a television program, a LED red lightis illuminated to indicate to the user that the DVR is recording thetelevision program. However, this only indicates to the user that theDVR is recording a television program at the proper time. The user isnot able to determine whether the television program recorded is theprogram that is desired. Other LED lights may be used to indicatedifferent functions on the DVR depending upon the implementation.

In addition, a DVR may have more than one tuner capable of recordingmore than one television show at a time. Under this circumstance, asingle LED light indicating recording does not inform the user that morethan one recording is being made, much less indicating which particulartelevision shows are being recorded.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by wayof limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in whichlike reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1A is a block diagram illustrating a network with content andservice providers for a DVR, according to an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 1B is a block diagram illustrating a general overview of thecomponents of a Digital Video Recorder (DVR), according to an embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of the front bezel of a DVR showing the location ofan informational display, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3A is a diagram of an informational display showing twosimultaneous recordings, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3B is a diagram of an informational display showing one recording,according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a triangle wave oscillation movement, accordingto an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a system on which embodiments of theinvention may be implemented.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however,that the present invention may be practiced without these specificdetails. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shownin block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring thepresent invention.

Embodiments are described herein according to the following outline:

-   -   1.0 General Overview    -   2.0 Structural Overview    -   3.0 Informational Display        -   3.1 Anti-Aging Techniques            -   3.1.1 Shifting Displayed Items            -   3.1.2 Simulator            -   3.1.3 Dimming    -   4.0 Implementation Mechanisms

1.0 GENERAL OVERVIEW

The needs identified in the foregoing Background, and other needs andobjects that will become apparent from the following description, areachieved in the present invention, which comprises a program titledisplay and methods for anti-aging on the program title display.

In an embodiment, program title information is displayed to users on adisplay panel as the DVR is recording a television program. The displaypanel may display a variety of information in addition to the televisionprogram title that is being recorded. Examples of information displayedmay include, but is not limited to, the television program title that isbeing played, a function or operation being performed by the DVR, or aclock displaying the current time. Other information may also bedisplayed depending upon the type of display used. The logo of thetelevision show, television station, or network being watched, played,or recorded may also be displayed.

Many displays that are implemented use pixels to form the display area.Unfortunately, after continued use, pixels may burn out or malfunction.In situations where the same particular pixels are used continuously(such as the “:” when displaying time), the particular pixels would burnout much faster than other pixels with less use. This leads toincorrect, or unattractive, displays of information.

In order to lengthen the life of a display, anti-aging mechanisms may beemployed. In an embodiment, the display of information on the displaypanel is moved and/or rotated throughout the display area in order tomore evenly distribute the use of particular pixels. In anotherembodiment, the display of information is illuminated with lessbrightness after a specified period of display on the panel. By shiftingthe information on the display panel and also decreasing the intensityof the displayed information after a specified amount of time, thedisplay generally has a much longer operational period.

2.0 STRUCTURAL OVERVIEW

FIG. 1A illustrates a network with content and service providers for aDVR, according to an embodiment. The system contains DVR 102 which iscommunicatively coupled to network 105 through any communicationinterface, such as an Ethernet interface or wireless communicationsport. The functionality of a DVR is typified in U.S. Pat. No. 6,233,389which is owned by the Applicants and is hereby incorporated byreference. The system also includes service provider 104, contentprovider 106, personal computer 108 and portable device 110.

Personal computer 108 may be a personal computing device, such as adesktop computer or laptop computer, and is also coupled to network 105through any communications interface, including wireless. Portabledevice 110 may be any handheld computing device, cellular phone,portable media player, or any other portable device capable ofdisplaying multimedia content and is also coupled to network 105 throughany communications interface, including wireless. DVR 102, personalcomputer 108, and portable device 110 each communicate with serviceprovider 104 through network 105. In another embodiment, DVR 102,personal computer 108, and portable device 110 each communicate withcontent provider 110 through network 105.

Network 105 may be implemented by any medium or mechanism that providesfor the exchange of data between devices in the communication system.Examples of network 105 include, without limitation, a network such as aLocal Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), the Internet, one ormore terrestrial, satellite or wireless links, etc. Alternatively oradditionally, any number of devices connected to network 105 may also bedirectly connected to each other through a communications link.

In one embodiment, content provider 106 provides broadcast programcontent to DVR 102 via cable, satellite, terrestrial communication, orother transmission method. Broadcast program content may include anymultimedia content such as: audio, image, or video content. In anotherembodiment, content provider 106 provides multimedia content, such asany downloadable content, through network 105 to DVR 102, personalcomputer 108, or portable device 110.

In one embodiment, DVR 102 communicates with service provider 104, whichprovides program guide data, graphical resources (such as fonts,pictures, etc.), service information, software, advertisements, eventidentification data, and other forms of data that enable DVR 102 tooperate independently of service provider 104 to satisfy user interests.

In another embodiment, content provider 106 may provide, to serviceprovider 104, content data or any metadata, including promotional data,icons, web data, and other information. Service provider 104 may theninterpret the metadata and provide the content data metadata to DVR 102,personal computer 108, or portable device 110.

Referring to FIG. 1B, in an embodiment, DVR 102 generally comprises aplurality of components, signified by Signal Converter 154, that arenecessary to digitize an analog television signal and convert it into adigital data stream or accept a digital data stream. DVR 102 receivesbroadcast signals from an antenna, from a cable TV system, satellitereceiver, etc., via Input 152A. Input 152A may comprise a plurality oftuning modules that allow a plurality of signals to be received andrecorded simultaneously.

Recording Module 160 records the incoming data stream by storing thedigital data stream on at least one storage facility, signified byStorage 164 that is designed to retain segments of the digital datastream. Storage 164 may also be used to store back ups of processed datathat are associated with the user of the DVR. A Signal Converter 154retrieves segments of the data stream, converts the data stream into ananalog signal, and then modulates the signal onto a RF carrier, viaOutput 152B, through which the signal is delivered to a standard TV set.Output 152B may alternatively deliver a digital signal to a TV set orvideo monitor. For example, DVR 102 may utilize a Digital VisualInterface port (DVI) for sending digital signals to a TV via a DVIcable.

DVR 102 also includes a Communication Interface 162, through which theDVR 102 communicates with Network 105 via Ethernet, wireless network,modem, or other communications standard. Further, DVR 102 may beintegrated into a TV system such that the components described above arehoused in a TV set capable of performing the functions of each componentof DVR 102.

In another embodiment, DVR 102 generally comprises a plurality ofcomponents necessary to receive, record, store, transfer and playbackdigital data signals from a plurality of sources, such as a PC, a DVR, aservice provider, or content server. DVR 102 can transfer digital datasignals to another DVR or PC. DVR 102 may encode or decode digitalsignals via Encoder 156A and Decoder 156B into a plurality of formatsfor playback, storage or transfer. DVR 102 can also encrypt or decryptdigital data signals using Encryptor/Decryptor 158 for storage, transferor playback of the digital data signals.

In one embodiment, DVR 102 communicates with Service Provider 103, whichprovides program guide data, graphical resources such as brand icons andpictures, service information, software programs, advertisements, andother forms of data that enable DVR 102 to operate independently of theService Provider 104 to perform autonomous recording functions.Communication between DVR 102 and Service Provider 104 utilizes a securedistribution architecture to transfer data between the DVR 102 and theService Provider 104 such that both the service data and the user'sprivacy are protected.

3.0 INFORMATIONAL DISPLAY

In an embodiment, a display is placed on the front bezel of a DVR soinformation of operations on the DVR may be viewed by the user. Forexample, a program title of content being recorded might be displayed inorder to inform the user that the program desired is being recorded. Inaddition, a clock might be displayed with the program title. An exampleof the location of the display is shown in FIG. 2. In FIG. 2, a frontbezel 200 is shown of a DVR client. The display 202 is in the center ofthe front bezel and displays the program title of recordings being made,“Lost,” “Criminal Minds,” and the current time “9:12.” To the left ofthe display are two red LED indicators 204. These indicators illuminatewhen recordings are occurring on the DVR. On the right, there are alsotwo LED indicators 206. The blue LED indicator on the top is illuminatedwhen a recording from the network is taking place. A recording from thenetwork may be content that is being downloaded from a local network orfrom the service provider. The orange LED on the bottom is illuminatedfully when the telephone line is in use, and also flickers when theremote control is in use. A telephone line may be used to send andsynchronize information with the DVR client and the service provider.The flickering from a remote control takes precedence over fullillumination when the telephone line is in use.

The informational display may also display information other than theprogram title of the television show being recorded. Other informationthat might be displayed includes, but is not limited to, the currentfunction or operation being performed on the DVR or the program title ofthe television program being played. Still other examples might be theformat of the video that is being played. These include, but not limitedto, “480i,” “480p,” “720i,” “720p,” “1080i,” “1080p,” or any otherformats in which programs may be displayed. These video formats describethe resolution of the video and also whether the video is shown inprogressive (“p”), or in interlaced (“i”) format.

The informational display may be constructed out of any material thatallows a user to view information. For example, the display might be alight emitting diode (“LED”) display or liquid crystal display (“LCD”).In an embodiment, the display is an organic light emitting diode(“OLED”) display. An OLED is an LED whose electroluminescent layer, ormaterial that emits light in response to an electric current, comprisesa film of organic compounds. The layer usually contains a polymersubstance that allows suitable organic compounds to be deposited. Theyare deposited in rows and columns and the resulting matrix of pixels isable to emit light of different colors. In an embodiment, the displayscreen on the front bezel of the DVR has a resolution of 288 by 48. Thismeans that there are 288 pixels for the width and 48 pixels for theheight. The resolution of the display screen may vary fromimplementation to implementation.

An example of a close-up view of an information display is shown in FIG.3. Located on the front bezel of the DVR, the display 300 is an OLEDdisplay. The display 300 is surrounded by four LED indicators, two onthe left and two on the right. The LED indicators on the left 302 and304, are red and light up to indicate that a program is being recordedby the DVR. LED indicator 302 illuminates when a first recording isbeing made. LED indicator 304 illuminates when a second recording isbeing made. LED indicator 312 is a blue LED and indicates that a networkrecording is occurring. LED indicator 314 is an orange LED and indicatesthat the DVR is using the telephone line and LED indicator 314 alsoflickers when the remote control is in use.

In the example, the DVR is able to record two different programssimultaneously. In other embodiments, the DVR is able to record morethan two programs simultaneously and more than two titles may appear onthe display. In FIG. 3, a first recording is being made of thetelevision show “Lost” 306. The LED indicator 302 is also illuminatedindicating that the first recording is taking place. A second recordingis being made of the television show “Criminal Minds” 308 and LEDindicator 304 is illuminated indicating that the second program is beingrecorded. On the right side of the screen is a clock 310 that shows thecurrent time of “9:12.”

In an embodiment, a clock is shown to the right side of the display andthe program titles are shown on the left side of the display. In anotherembodiment, the clock is shown on the left side of the display and theprogram titles are shown on the right side of the display. These layoutsmay vary from implementation to implementation.

FIG. 3B shows another informational display with only a single recordingin progress. As shown in FIG. 3B, display 300 is surrounded by the 4 LEDindicators 302, 304, 312 and 314. In FIG. 3B, only a single recording ismade of the television program “Today” 316. As a result, only LEDindicator 302 is illuminated to indicate that a first recording is beingmade. The clock 310 appears on the right side of the display showing thecurrent time of “8:35.”

3.1 Anti-Aging Techniques

The use of plasma and OLED displays may result in the failure of certainpixels within the display from normal use. In plasma displays, which arephosphor-based electronic displays, the display of graphical elementsover a prolonged amount of time may create a permanent ghost-like imageof these elements. The phosphor compounds that emit the light of thedisplay lose luminosity, or the brightness intensity, with use. As aresult, if certain areas of the display are used more frequently thanothers, then over time the lower luminosity areas become visible and“burn-in” occurs.

Pixels in OLED displays have a designated lifetime because the organicmaterials in the OLED break down after a specified usage. In time, thepixels burn out and no longer emit light correctly. What results is adisplay with certain pixels unable to display a part of the image. Theambient temperature of the operating environment of the OLED is alsoimportant. As temperature increases, the rate of pixel decay increases.In an embodiment, techniques are used to lengthen the life of thedisplay by minimizing the occurrence of pixel burnout. Though thesetechniques are described with relation to OLED displays, thesetechniques may be used for any display where pixel burn-in or failuremight occur.

3.1.1 Shifting Displayed Items

In an embodiment, information shown on the display is shifted within thedisplay area so that the same pixels are not continuously used. Forexample, a program title is displayed on the left side of the displayand a clock is shown on the right side of the display. If theinformation is displayed in the same locations of the display, somepixels (such as the “:” in the clock) would be continuously illuminatedwhile other pixels would rarely or never be illuminated. After theorganic material in the illuminated pixel breaks down, the pixel failsand no longer illuminates when activated by electric current. Whatresults is a display where parts of displayed text are not illuminatedcorrectly.

In an embodiment, information shown on the display is slowly shiftedaround the display area so that the movement is not readily detectableto the user. For example, the information may be slowly shifted to theright, pixel by pixel, with each shift occurring once per day. The shiftor movement resulting from the shift of the information displayed may bein any direction but the purpose of the movement is to limit the amountof time that each pixel is in use.

In an embodiment, the information displayed is shifted so that eachpixel uses a maximum of a specified duty cycle. A duty cycle is theproportion of time during which a pixel is illuminated. For example, ifa pixel is illuminated for ten minutes, then is shut off for 90 minutes,then the pixel is illuminated for ten out of 100 minutes. Ten out of 100minutes is 10/100 of the time, and the duty cycle is 10/100, or tenpercent. In an embodiment, the specified duty cycle is 10.6%. Under thiscircumstance, movements of the displayed information would be such thatno single pixel is luminous, or in use, for more than 10.6% for a givenperiod of time.

In an embodiment, the display is logically split into two sections. Anexample is shown in FIG. 3B. One section is the right section 352 thatdisplays the clock and the left section 350 that displays the programtitle. The information displayed in a section is moved only within thesection to increase the life of the display. For example, the clockwould be moved only within the display section of the clock. The programtitle would be moved only within the display section of the programtitle. In another embodiment, the movements of the clock and programtitle are not limited to the two sections in the display. In yet anotherembodiment, the movements of the clock and program title are not limitedto the two sections in the display but the clock always remains to theright of the program title.

In an embodiment, a clock is displayed without “AM” or “PM.” By removing“AM” and “PM,” the clock may be moved within a wider area within thedisplay. In an embodiment, the motion of the clock is a rectangle aroundthe edge of the display section with a triangle wave oscillation on theborders of the rectangle. An example of a triangle wave oscillationmovement is shown in FIG. 4. In FIG. 4, line 400 represents the y-axisand line 402 represents the x-axis. Line 404 illustrates the movement ina triangle wave oscillation. In another embodiment, the motion of theclock does not follow a specific pattern but maximizes the life of thepixels.

3.1.2 Simulator

In an embodiment, a simulator of the display is used to determine thedirection and shape of the shift of the displayed information for theanti-aging mechanism. The simulator measures the amount of time eachpixel is illuminated over a certain designated time period. Based uponthe results of the simulator, various motions of displayed informationmight be attempted before determining which particular motion yields anacceptable duty cycle for the pixels.

The simulator calculates the amount of time each pixel is illuminatedover a specified time period based on certain underlying variables.Examples of these variables include, but are not limited to, the text orinformation that is displayed, the length of the text of informationthat is displayed, the font and size of the text of information that isdisplayed, whether capital or lower case letters are used, the initialplacement of the information on the screen, the size of the displayscreen, the ambient temperature of the device, the brightness of thedisplayed text, and the limits of the areas that the information may beshifted. When simulating the program title of recordings, the programtitles that are used in the simulator may provide varying results.

In an embodiment, the program titles are the program titles of thetelevision shows that are recorded most frequently according to dataprovided by the service provider. Other information and program titlesused may vary from implementation to implementation.

The tested length of the simulation may also vary. In an embodiment, thesimulated length is 1000 days. Under these conditions, each pixel ismeasured for use over 1000 days to determine each pixel's duty cycle.Within the 1000 days, usage of the display per day may also vary. Forexample, a DVR may be simulated to be displaying information eight hoursper day.

The calculated duty cycle may then be placed in a graph format so thatthe results may easily be interpreted. For example, pixels with a lowerduty cycle are color coded green. Pixels with a moderate duty cycle arecolor coded yellow. Pixels with a high duty cycle are color coded red.Based on interpretations of the data, the shape and the direction of theshift of information displayed may be changed as well as the frequencyof the shift.

In an embodiment, a real-time analysis of pixel use within the displaypanel is performed to determine the shift of the displayed information.The analysis is performed by the consumer recording device as theinformation is displayed. This allows the shift of displayed informationto be determined by the actual use of pixels in the display panel andnot expected use. The consumer recording device, or DVR, calculates theuse of each pixel as the pixels are illuminated. If the use ofparticular pixels is high relative to nearby pixels, then a shift of thedisplayed information is made to more evenly distribute pixel usethroughout the display panel.

3.1.3 Dimming

In an embodiment, the display is dimmed after a specified amount of timein order to lengthen the life of the pixels. The life of an OLED pixelis based upon the length of time that the OLED pixel is illuminated andthe degree of illumination. For example, if a pixel of an OLED is in useat the highest brightness, then the OLED pixel would fail more quicklythan an OLED pixel is use at a much lower brightness. The display maybecome bright for eight seconds when new information is displayed orwhen a user selects the “Info” button on the remote control or DVRbezel. After the eight seconds, the display is dimmed.

Brightness, or luminance, may be based upon the measurement, the nit. A“nit” is defined as the candelas per square meter (cd/m²). Computerdisplays, for example, may have luminances of 50 to 300 nits.

In an embodiment, the display is shown with a luminance of 35 nits, andthen after a short period of time, the display is dimmed to 5 nits. Thevalue of luminance may vary from implementation to implementation inbright mode to dim mode. In an embodiment, the specified length of timefrom bright mode to dim mode is five to six seconds. This value may alsovary from implementation to implementation.

4.0 IMPLEMENTATION MECHANISMS

FIG. 5 is a block diagram that illustrates a computer system 500 uponwhich an embodiment of the invention may be implemented. Computer system500 includes a bus 502 or other communication mechanism forcommunicating information, and a processor 504 coupled with bus 502 forprocessing information. Computer system 500 also includes a main memory506, such as a random access memory (RAM) or other dynamic storagedevice, coupled to bus 502 for storing information and instructions tobe executed by processor 504. Main memory 506 also may be used forstoring temporary variables or other intermediate information duringexecution of instructions to be executed by processor 504. Computersystem 500 further includes a read only memory (ROM) 508 or other staticstorage device coupled to bus 502 for storing static information andinstructions for processor 504. A storage device 510, such as a magneticdisk or optical disk, is provided and coupled to bus 502 for storinginformation and instructions.

Computer system 500 may be coupled via bus 502 to a display 512, such asa cathode ray tube (CRT), for displaying information to a computer user.An input device 514, including alphanumeric and other keys, is coupledto bus 502 for communicating information and command selections toprocessor 504. Another type of user input device is cursor control 516,such as a mouse, a trackball, or cursor direction keys for communicatingdirection information and command selections to processor 504 and forcontrolling cursor movement on display 512. This input device typicallyhas two degrees of freedom in two axes, a first axis (e.g., x) and asecond axis (e.g., y), that allows the device to specify positions in aplane.

The invention is related to the use of computer system 500 forimplementing the techniques described herein. According to oneembodiment of the invention, those techniques are performed by computersystem 500 in response to processor 504 executing one or more sequencesof one or more instructions contained in main memory 506. Suchinstructions may be read into main memory 506 from anothermachine-readable medium, such as storage device 510. Execution of thesequences of instructions contained in main memory 506 causes processor504 to perform the process steps described herein. In alternativeembodiments, hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of or incombination with software instructions to implement the invention. Thus,embodiments of the invention are not limited to any specific combinationof hardware circuitry and software.

The term “machine-readable medium” as used herein refers to any mediumthat participates in providing data that causes a machine to operationin a specific fashion. In an embodiment implemented using computersystem 500, various machine-readable media are involved, for example, inproviding instructions to processor 504 for execution. Such a medium maytake many forms, including but not limited to storage media andtransmission media. Storage media includes both non-volatile media andvolatile media. Non-volatile media includes, for example, optical ormagnetic disks, such as storage device 510. Volatile media includesdynamic memory, such as main memory 506. Transmission media includescoaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, including the wires thatcomprise bus 502. Transmission media can also take the form of acousticor light waves, such as those generated during radio-wave and infra-reddata communications. All such media must be tangible to enable theinstructions carried by the media to be detected by a physical mechanismthat reads the instructions into a machine.

Common forms of machine-readable media include, for example, a floppydisk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, or any other magneticmedium, a CD-ROM, any other optical medium, punchcards, papertape, anyother physical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, and EPROM,a FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave asdescribed hereinafter, or any other medium from which a computer canread.

Various forms of machine-readable media may be involved in carrying oneor more sequences of one or more instructions to processor 504 forexecution. For example, the instructions may initially be carried on amagnetic disk of a remote computer. The remote computer can load theinstructions into its dynamic memory and send the instructions over atelephone line using a modem. A modem local to computer system 500 canreceive the data on the telephone line and use an infra-red transmitterto convert the data to an infra-red signal. An infra-red detector canreceive the data carried in the infra-red signal and appropriatecircuitry can place the data on bus 502. Bus 502 carries the data tomain memory 506, from which processor 504 retrieves and executes theinstructions. The instructions received by main memory 506 mayoptionally be stored on storage device 510 either before or afterexecution by processor 504.

Computer system 500 also includes a communication interface 518 coupledto bus 502. Communication interface 518 provides a two-way datacommunication coupling to a network link 520 that is connected to alocal network 522. For example, communication interface 518 may be anintegrated services digital network (ISDN) card or a modem to provide adata communication connection to a corresponding type of telephone line.As another example, communication interface 518 may be a local areanetwork (LAN) card to provide a data communication connection to acompatible LAN. Wireless links may also be implemented. In any suchimplementation, communication interface 518 sends and receiveselectrical, electromagnetic or optical signals that carry digital datastreams representing various types of information.

Network link 520 typically provides data communication through one ormore networks to other data devices. For example, network link 520 mayprovide a connection through local network 522 to a host computer 524 orto data equipment operated by an Internet Service Provider (ISP) 526.ISP 526 in turn provides data communication services through the worldwide packet data communication network now commonly referred to as the“Internet” 528. Local network 522 and Internet 528 both use electrical,electromagnetic or optical signals that carry digital data streams. Thesignals through the various networks and the signals on network link 520and through communication interface 518, which carry the digital data toand from computer system 500, are exemplary forms of carrier wavestransporting the information.

Computer system 500 can send messages and receive data, includingprogram code, through the network(s), network link 520 and communicationinterface 518. In the Internet example, a server 530 might transmit arequested code for an application program through Internet 528, ISP 526,local network 522 and communication interface 518.

The received code may be executed by processor 504 as it is received,and/or stored in storage device 510, or other non-volatile storage forlater execution. In this manner, computer system 500 may obtainapplication code in the form of a carrier wave. In the foregoingspecification, embodiments of the invention have been described withreference to numerous specific details that may vary from implementationto implementation. Thus, the sole and exclusive indicator of what is theinvention, and is intended by the applicants to be the invention, is theset of claims that issue from this application, in the specific form inwhich such claims issue, including any subsequent correction. Anydefinitions expressly set forth herein for terms contained in suchclaims shall govern the meaning of such terms as used in the claims.Hence, no limitation, element, property, feature, advantage or attributethat is not expressly recited in a claim should limit the scope of suchclaim in any way. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to beregarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: causing to displayinformation on a location of a display screen; determining an amount oftime during which a pixel in a plurality of pixels is illuminated on thedisplay screen; determining whether the amount of time during which thepixel is illuminated on the display screen exceeds a specified timeamount, the specified time amount being based on a maximum of a dutycycle for illumination of the pixel; in response to determining that theamount of time during which the pixel is illuminated on the displayscreen exceeds the specified time amount, moving the location of theinformation on the display screen; wherein the method is performed byone or more computing devices.
 2. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: displaying the information displayed on the display screenat a lesser brightness after a specified amount of time.
 3. The methodof claim 1, wherein the display screen is an OLED display.
 4. The methodof claim 1, wherein the display screen is a non-OLED display.
 5. Themethod of claim 1, wherein moving the location of the information is ina rectangular pattern around edges of the display screen with a trianglewave oscillation on borders of the rectangle.
 6. The method of claim 1,wherein the display screen comprises two sections.
 7. The method ofclaim 6, wherein the information is displayed in the first section andsecond information is displayed in the second section.
 8. The method ofclaim 7, wherein moving the location of the information is within thefirst section and moving a location of the second information is withinthe second section.
 9. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storingone or more sequences of instructions which, when executed by one ormore processors, causes the one or more processors to perform the steps:causing to display information on a location of a display screen;determining an amount of time during which a pixel in a plurality ofpixels is illuminated on the display screen; determining whether theamount of time during which the pixel is illuminated on the displayscreen exceeds a specified time amount, the specified time amount beingbased on a maximum of a duty cycle for illumination of the pixel; inresponse to determining that the amount of time during which the pixelis illuminated on the display screen exceeds the specified time amount,moving the location of the information on the display screen.
 10. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the one ormore sequences of instructions further comprise instructions which, whenexecuted by one or more processors, causes the one or more processors toperform the step: displaying the information on the display screen at alesser brightness after a specified amount of time.
 11. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the displayscreen is an OLED display.
 12. The non-transitory computer-readablemedium of claim 9, wherein the display screen is a non-OLED display. 13.The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein movingthe location of the information is in a rectangular pattern around edgesof the display screen with a triangle wave oscillation on borders of therectangle.
 14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9,wherein the display screen comprises two sections.
 15. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein theinformation is displayed in the first section and second information isdisplayed in the second section.
 16. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein moving the location of theinformation is within the first section and moving a location of thesecond information is within the second section.
 17. An apparatuscomprising: a subsystem, implemented at least partially in hardware,that causes to display information on a location of a display screen; asubsystem, implemented at least partially in hardware, that determinesan amount of time during which a pixel in a plurality of pixels isilluminated on the display screen; a subsystem, implemented at leastpartially in hardware, that determines whether the amount of time duringwhich the pixel is illuminated on the display screen exceeds a specifiedtime amount, the specified time amount being based on a maximum of aduty cycle for illumination of the pixel; a subsystem, implemented atleast partially in hardware, that, in response to determining that theamount of time during which the pixel is illuminated on the displayscreen exceeds the specified time amount, moves the location of theinformation on the display screen.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17,further comprising: a subsystem, implemented at least partially inhardware, that displays the information on the display screen at alesser brightness after a specified amount of time.
 19. The apparatus ofclaim 17, wherein the display screen is an OLED display.
 20. Theapparatus of claim 17, wherein the display screen is a non-OLED display.21. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the location of the informationis moved in a rectangular pattern around edges of the display screenwith a triangle wave oscillation on borders of the rectangle.
 22. Theapparatus of claim 17, wherein the display screen comprises twosections.
 23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the information isdisplayed in the first section and second information is displayed inthe second section.
 24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein moving thelocation of the information is within the first section and moving alocation of the second information is within the second section.